Image: Councillor Yvonne Weldon (L) Lord Mayor Clover Moore (R). Image: Instagram/Facebook
In the leadup to the September mayoral election, the ‘sad state’ of Sydney’s gay neighbourhood Oxford Street is once again in focus.
Independent Sydney mayoral candidate Yvonne Weldon has blamed Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore for the current state of Oxford Street.
“We were talking about the sad state of Oxford Street in the lead-up to the last election. As another election looms, nothing has changed,” Weldon told City Hub.
“The demise of Oxford Street has occurred on the Lord Mayor’s watch. The commitment to revitalise the strip and showcase its queer character and history have not been realised.”
Oxford & Foley Development Halted
Originally slated to be completed by 2023, in May, the Oxford & Foley development halted construction on its redevelopment along Oxford Street.
Meant to revitalise Oxford Street, the Oxford & Foley development consists of three blocks along Oxford Street’s north side between Oxford and Foley Street. It includes new retail and creative spaces, bars, and restaurants.
The Oxford & Foley development is currently covered by hoardings featuring the artwork of Queer Sydney artist Amy Blue.
The hoardings were installed to help beautify Oxford Street, in the lead-up to Sydney WorldPride 2023.
‘Oxford Street is set to be a construction site for at least another couple of years’
Placing the blame on Moore for the repeated delays, Weldon explained, “TOGA’s development is the centrepiece of the Oxford Street’s revitalisation. But after many delays, construction has now stalled.
“Along with the rollout of a new cycleway, Oxford Street is set to be a construction site for at least another couple of years.”
“In fact, the only work that has been completed in recent years is the installation of the City of Sydney’s wildly unpopular and pedestrian-impeding advertising screens,” Weldon added.
‘We want the strip to be a celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture and community’
In a statement to City Hub, Moore said that the City of Sydney is “entirely committed” to revitalising Oxford Street.
“We want the strip to be a celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture and community, a destination and workplace for culture and creatives, with more businesses and local services in the street’s heritage buildings,” she said.
“I share the community’s frustration about the delays to this development, however, good city building takes time. The new builder, TOGA Constructions, estimates most building works will be completed by mid-next year,” she continued.
“The stars are now aligning, as we have secured significant investment in the renewal of major properties, ushered in changes to planning controls to increase creative and cultural space, introduced an Australian-first LGBTIQA+ place strategy, and supported the establishment of Qtopia Sydney, Australia’s first community-led LGBTIQA+ museum to ensure the precinct retains its rainbow heart.”
Years Of Neglect
For years, Oxford Street has been plagued by high vacancies and heavy vehicle traffic. In October 2021, the Oxford Street Creative and Cultural Precinct Plan was announced.
It allowed property developers to increase floor space and building height along Oxford Street if they dedicate at least 10% to cultural and creative purposes. In October 2022, in another move meant to protect Oxford Street’s LGBTQ identity, the Oxford Street LGBTIQA+ Social and Cultural Place Strategy was announced.
Under this Strategy, the City released a framework to recognise the importance of Oxford Street to the LGBTQI community.
The framework includes protections for LGBTQI heritage items, highlighting LGBTQI history and culture, more LGBTQI artwork and rainbow crossings, protections for sex on premises venues, and incentives for LGBTQI employment and inclusion as well as the much talked about Qtopia museum.
Sydney Local Council election on September 14
Weldon was first elected to City of Sydney Council in 2021, becoming the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney’s 180-year History.
Moore was first elected in 2004 and is the longest-serving and the first woman elected Lord Mayor in Sydney’s history. If reelected this will be Moore’s sixth term as Lord Mayor of Sydney.
The Sydney Local Council election will be held on September 14.
There’s a number of reasons:
1, Many young LGBT people cannot afford to “party” on Oxford Street.
2, The removal of street parking affects businesses.
3, Newtown is now more appealing to many LGBT people.
4, LGBT people such as myself feel safe in majority dominated heterosexual venues.
5, There’s lots of homeless and derelict people in the vicinity of Oxford Street.
6, There is too many vape / tobacco stores on Oxford Street.
7, Many LGBT simply don’t have a reason to visit Oxford Street.